Credit: APOLIS/ ATISH SAHA

Two Californians, 180,000 Bags, And An Alternative Factory Model: Could This Be Bangladesh’s Future?

Despite all the talk about the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, Apolis co-founder Shea Parton says that there is still a dearth of responsible supply chains in apparel.

“Sadly, within the garment and textile industry, it’s not normal to prioritize people and seek to use business for good — so I really think you’ve got to be okay with being rare and unconventional,” he says.

Credit: APOLIS/ ATISH SAHA

Apolis’ collaboration with Saidpur enterprises is giving employment to more than 100 women in Bangladesh.

Apolis, started over a decade ago by Shea and his brother Raan, remains a small sustainable fashion and lifestyle brand. With 9 full-time employees and two retail locations, it’s certainly not in a position to sway high fashion brands towards sustainability.  But the duo have decided to build their own business, by engaging with suppliers as much as possible.

“It takes a lot more time to go directly to factories, and there tends to be more potential liability involved in doing so,” Shea says. “When you have an agency running the supply chain for you, they take on most of the responsibility of auditing that chain.”

Read the full story at Forbes.com

One thought on “Two Californians, 180,000 Bags, And An Alternative Factory Model: Could This Be Bangladesh’s Future?

  1. Ashley Baboota says:

    Hey Esha,

    Great article! I came across Apolis a while ago while doing some research for my business class, and which I had your article then! It’s a nice way of blending good business to inspire not only consumers but other businesses as well.

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